Our Clients

  • St. Paul's School (Concord, NH)

  • Middlesex School (Concord, MA)

  • Saint Ann's School (Brooklyn, NY)

  • St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School (Washington, DC)

  • Hawken School (Cleveland, OH)

  • Grace Church School (New York, NY)

  • Hockaday School (Dallas, TX)

  • Montclair Kimberley Academy (Montclair, NJ)

  • Woodberry Forest School (Woodberry, VA)

  • The Peck School (Morristown, NJ)

  • Episcopal Day School (San Mateo, CA)

  • Chandler School (Los Angeles, CA)

  • Harbor School (Vashon Island, WA)

  • Episcopal Day School (Augusta, GA)

Head of School

“Zakaria is an insightful coach that helps you get to the core of your challenges and create impactful solutions. Using a genuine approach that gets to know you and your school, he guides you to what is right for your leadership style and community. ”
— Kenyatte Reid, Head of School (Saint Ann's School, NY))
“Zakaria created a safe space for exploration where I could fully process and explore my fears and challenges as a leader without judgment. The work we did together bolstered my confidence and I’m heading into next school year with renewed energy and a positive outlook on my ability to handle whatever comes my way. ”
— Teri Rutledge, Head of School (Harbor School, WA)

Division Head

“Working with Zakaria was transformative! He is incisive and empathetic, and he helped me get to a place of stability and confidence in my leadership role. I am more effective and enjoy my job more because of our work together. I can’t recommend him highly enough!”
— Katie McDougall, Director of Lower School (Episcopal Day School, CA)
“As a first-year division head, Zakaria has played a pivotal role in shaping how I lead. My growth is evident. I began the school year uncertain about how to navigate certain dynamics, and now I lead with greater clarity, confidence, and intention. ”
— Ty Jenkins, Head of Middle School (Episcopal Day School, GA)
“In my first year as a division director, I found my coaching with Zakaria to be invaluable. He has a masterful way of asking the right questions to help me clarify my own thinking and focus on what really matters. My capacity as a reflective, decisive leader grew over the course of my work with him. I felt well-equipped to navigate challenging situations guided by my core values. ”
— Laura Reardon, Lower School Director (Chandler School, CA)
“Working with Zakaria this school year exceeded my expectations in every way. I began with the goal of strengthening my reflective practice, creating balance, and sharpening my strategic leadership—and Zakaria provided exactly the space and support I needed. He offered honest, constructive insight and held me accountable for the growth I knew was necessary. Our work together became a powerful combination of clarity, challenge, and renewal.”
— Amy Tomblinson, Head of Preschool & Lower School Director (Episcopal Day School, GA)

DEI Director

“Working with First Rodeo Coaching has been a clarifying, affirming, and life-giving experience! The regular, empowering conversations with my coach pushed me out of my comfort zone to become the most adaptable leader possible. I learned that during this mid-career season, I can still stretch and do hard things, all while staying true to myself and my core values.”
— Bethany Dickerson Wynder, Director of DEIJ Initiatives (St. Paul's School, NH)
“What impressed me most about working with Zakaria was his ability to be present for every meeting. His listens so deeply and I appreciate his ability to help reframe situations while keeping in mind my own goals and values that we established at the beginning of our time together. While working with him always felt self-directed, it was clear that Zakaria had a clear intention every meeting to help me be the best leader that I can be.”
— Jason Sport, Chief Officer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Middlesex School, MA)
“The coaching came at the perfect time and helped me to thrive in my first year as a senior-level administrator. Zakaria’s genuine concern for my personal and professional wellbeing were felt during each session and I have been changed for the best since working with him. He sees my inner light and makes sure to affirm it even when I don’t always see it for myself.”
— Darnell Epps, Director of DEI (Hawken School, OH)

Middle Leader

“Zakaria is a master at asking questions that induce deep reflection. He also adeptly builds confidence. Working with him was invaluable as I navigated a new role.”
— Scott Bowman, Assistant Head of Upper School (The Hockaday School, TX)
“Coming into a new school in a leadership role has been a steep learning curve and it was so valuable to have this confidential processing space. Zakaria is a great listener and is genuinely open to feedback, which made the experience that much more productive and authentic.”
— Caitlin Hickerson, Class Dean (Grace Church School, NY)
“First Rodeo helped me assemble a toolkit of strengths and skills to bring back to my current role, helping me maximize the impact I make within my organization. The time to workshop these essential skills has proved invaluable for my practice.”
— Ambrose Faturoti, Director of Community Partnerships and Belonging (Hawken Mastery School, OH)